"Do they want to draw all voices into a vital public debate, or will they clear the site as soon as possible, probably in the middle of the night?"

A statement on the cathedral's website reads: "The chapter has previously asked the encampment to leave the cathedral precinct in peace.

"This has not yet happened and so, following the advice of our lawyers, legal action has regrettably become necessary.

"At each step of the legal process the chapter will continue to entreat the protesters to agree to a peaceful solution and, if an injunction is granted, will then be able to discuss with the protesters how to reach this solution.

"Theirs is a message that the chapter has both heard and shares and looks forward to engaging with the protesters to identify how the message may continue to be debated at St Paul's and acted upon."